The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1887-04-06
though from present outlook he thinks his
old stand at Benton offers strong indnce-

though from present outlook he thinks his
old stand at Benton offers strong indnce-
ments
Messrs. Hazleton & Wild are manufac-
tureTs of and dealers liz furniture of all
kinds and house furnishing goods, and are
doing a fine business. They are wide
awake, active business men of the stamp
that achieves success. The readers of the
RIVER Press may look for a business an
n0uncement from them next week.
Mr.. j. j, Blessing, carpenter, contrac-
tor and builder has a nice lot of machine
ry, driven by steam, with which he does
all kinds of wood work pertaining to his
business. Numerous buildings through
out the town show evidence of how well
he has used the machinery.
Messrs. Jno Reea and Thomas Downey
are the two ''sOns of Vulcan'' at whose
respective shops the ringing .'anvil
chorus may be heard throughout the
day, AT evidence that there is plenty of
work on hand.
OF the public buildings which attract
the attention of the stranger the public
school building is first on the list, as it is
the largest and most attractive. It is of
brick, two stories and basement, and is
nicely situated at one side of the large
square which encloses the springs. Its
cost was $4,000. One hundred and fif-
teen pupils are said to be taught here.
The court house is a very plain, square
building Of two stories, and stands a short
distance from the school house. 1t was
built more for use than ornament as there
is no attempt at architectural display
whatever. However, it is substantial and
comfortable and will no doubt serve the
purpose for years to come.
| A neat brick church ornamented with
towering spire stands not far distant on
commanding spot. It was built by the
Methodist denomination under the leader
| ship Of their active pastor, the Rev. Jacob
Mills, a gentleman well known in north
crn Montana.
The Smith river valley in which the
| town is situated has somewhat the appear
ance Of an elevated basin surrounded by
mountains. This valley has long been
somewhat celebrated as the home of an
intelligent and thrifty class of stock
raiEers. Of late years fine stock of all
kinds IS receiving much attention, and it
iss9se to say that there are some as fine
cattle, sheep and horses here as can be
found in any valley Of its size in Montana
There are SO many engaged in the business
Logan, Is miles distant, Messrs. Gaddis &
Bryan have some as fine short horns and
Herefords as cah be found in any country.
Mr.. Fred Klaue, a few miles from town,
has herd of genuine Holsteins. At the
stable OF Mr.. Brewer we saw Len Lewis
Norman stallion "Brilliante," years old
imported from France direct. He is ac-
knoWledged by horsemen of experience to
be the finest specimen of his class that
they ever saw in any country. Certain it
is that my eyes never rested upon more
superb and perfectly formed horse. Jet
black and yet fdappled'' when the light
struck his glossy coat just at the proper
angle to see the ''dapples." The only
white is a Feather" in the face, and
touch about the fore hoofs. The animal
was bred by the president of the Norman
horse association of France, and is of the
purest of the pure-bred black Normans.
Not much attention is paid to grain
raising, yet we were told that about 25 ,O00
bushels Of oats were produced last year.
The surrounding mountains are full of
minerals. One vein of coal has been
found bat fifteen miles away The great
camp Of Neihart is only forty miles dis
tant, and it promises to become, at ne dis
tant day, rival of Butte in silver pro-
duction, The Castle mountains, within
easy reach, are said to prospect well in
silver, and only need development to show
wonderful wealth.
With such conditions and surroundings
the town may hope for much in the fu-
5ure. Few places in the territory can
show q better outlook. And added to
otfer advantages are those wonderful heal
ng springs, which alone are sufficient to
sustain place of no mean proportions
when Montana gathers into her lovely val s
eys, along the sides of her shining noun
aims. and on her grassy plains that popu- c
alton which is fast following the s'star of {
mpire'' TO the glorious west. It. |
~enept. -